On-Demand Paratransit Pilot Program

The MBTA is running a pilot program with ridesharing companies Uber, Lyft, and Curb to offer on-demand transit service to RIDE customers. You can book trips right from your smartphone, instantly—or call in for concierge service.

Each month, you’ll get a limited number of subsidized rides, based on historical RIDE use. The MBTA may adjust its subsidy structure periodically during the pilot period. Currently, the maximum subsidy for each trip is $40.

For UberPOOL: You’ll pay the first $1 for the trip and anything over a $41 total trip cost

For all other Uber services, all Lyft trips, and all Curb trips: You'll pay the first $2 and anything over a $42 total trip cost

Examples of your cost:

For a $6 trip, you’ll pay Uber/Lyft/Curb $2, and the MBTA will pay Uber/Lyft/Curb the remaining $4

You cannot use your RIDE account funds to pay for your trip. Instead, you must create an account on Uber, Lyft, or Curb. All 3 companies allow you to link credit or debit cards. Curb also allows you to pay your co-pay in cash to the taxi driver.

Curb

If you need help from your door to your ride, help boarding vehicles, or other assistance from a driver, you should consider using The RIDE services for your trip. Uber, Lyft, and Curb drivers are not required to assist customers in the same way that RIDE drivers are.

How to Book a Trip

You can request a ride through whichever company you’ve signed up with—Uber, Lyft or Curb—through their smartphone apps.

If you're a Lyft or Curb customer, you can use their phone-in services to book a trip. Lyft and Curb will provide details to you if you’re approved for their program.

Set your pick-up point.

Choose your service and vehicle type.

All 3 companies allow you to pick wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

Enter your destination.

If you change your destination after you request your trip, you may not be eligible for the subsidy.

View the trip cost and your driver's estimated time of arrival.

Hit “Request.”

Your ride will arrive in no time!

Contact

For questions about your sign-up status, eligible customers will receive further instructions and access to the program via email from Uber or Lyft within 1-2 weeks of sign-up.